Combining Ability of some Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Lines for Important Agronomic Traits

Sunflower hybrids derived from crossing between four restorer lines and eight CMS lines were evaluated to access new sunflower hybrids and evaluate combining ability of the sunflower CMS and restorer lines in 2012. Restorer lines were RN-3، RN-137، R-864 and R-217 and CMS lines were CMS 19، CMS 51، CMS 156/1، CMS 456/2، CMS 522/2، CMS 1052/1، CMS 60/30 and CMS 1221/1. Results showed that hybrids CMS19×R217، CMS1221/1×R137 and CMS19×R137 had the highest seed yield (7008، 5545 and 5526 kgha-1، respectively). Hybrid farrokh (check) with 5412 kgha-1 located in the forth rank. Combining ability variance analysis of line × tester showed that restorers and CMS lines effect، general combining ability، was significant for the most evaluated traits. Restorers R137 and R864 and CMS19 had the highest positive general combining ability for seed yield. Interaction effect between restorers and CMS lines، specific combining ability، was significant for days to flowering، end of flowering، days to physiologic maturity، head diameter، 100 seed weight and seed yield. The highest specific combining ability for seed yield belonged to hybrids CMS19×R217 and CMS 456/2× R217..